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You are here: Home / Archives for boats

On Board: The epic history of ships, sailors and the voyages they made by Tom Adams ill. Tom Jay

October 7, 2026 By achuka Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 7 Oct 2026

Publisher: Wide Eyed
ISBN: 9781836004691

A handsome monster of an illustrated information book with wonderful end papers.

There are feature page spreads interspersed between the main chapters and that can make the sequence seem somewhat surprising at times. However, this is hardly a book to be read from cover to cover, page after page, but rather one to be dipped in and out of. It’s just the kind of book to have in a KS2 class library, available during wet play or for those finishing work ahead of schedule. Better still, have a personal copy in the home library.


Packed with exciting, real-life stories and detailed illustrations, this is the fascinating story of how boats and ships have transformed our world. 

For thousands of years, the only way to cross the oceans was by boat. How must those first voyagers have felt, first hugging the shorelines and eventually venturing out across open seas?  

On Board charts water transport through history, exploring: 

  • Early seafarers and the great journeys that carried people across the globe. 
  • How boats and ships have changed over time, from simple craft to modern engineering. 
  • Famous voyages, including circumnavigations and groundbreaking expeditions. 
  • Life at sea, from navigation and safety to daily routines on board. 
  • Remarkable vessels from history, including iconic ships and ancient discoveries. 
  • Inspiring figures who changed maritime history, such as lighthouse keeper Grace Darling, who saved lives at sea and Hugh Mulzac, the first Black US shipmaster. 
  • Surprising facts, record-breaking ships and unusual designs from around the world. 

Brought to life with rich, detailed illustrations, On Board takes readers deep into the world of seafaring, past and present. From dramatic adventures to quiet moments of discovery, every page reveals something new about how humans have explored and connected across water. 

Perfect for curious readers who love history, technology and adventure – step aboard and start your journey today!  


Take a look behind the scenes with Tom Jay the illustrator on Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wide Eyed Editions (@wideeyededitions)


Filed Under: BookOfTheDay, Illustrated, NonFiction Tagged With: boats, exploration, history, ocean, sailing, ships, travel

Nautical: A Visual History of Boats by Matt Ralphs ill. Dieter Braun

June 12, 2025 By achuka Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 12 Jun 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

An impressive visual history all things maritime — boats, ships and submarines past, present and future.

From the first canoe carved from a single tree trunk nearly 10,000 years ago, through to enormous warships capable of carrying over 75 aircraft, this stylish book by the award-winning artist Dieter Braun is the perfect gift for lovers of all things nautical.

The book describes daredevil explorers, bloodthirsty pirates and ingenious inventors, alongside the extraordinary vessels they designed, built and sailed, including Viking dragonboats, the Mary Rose, the Cutty Sark, RMS Titanic, and many more.

Follow the book’s illustrator on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Dieter Braun (@brauntown)

And follow the author on X

So pleased that my new book Nautical is releasing this week with @BigPicturePress If you love boats, ships or submarines, this is the book for you! Out on 5th June! pic.twitter.com/OTjUjdTqbs

— Matt Ralphs (@MattRalphs2) June 3, 2025

Filed Under: BookOfTheDay, Gift, NonFiction Tagged With: boats, explorers, inventors, liners, oceans, seafaring, ships, submarines

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